|
 |
|
|
|
|
Ireland
is known as a country of showjumping riders and horses - but Dressage is becoming
more and more popular and the shows are getting bigger with bigger numbers
competing.
The jumpingaround.com
crew decided to visit the Eastern Region's Dressage show on Saturday, 15th
July and Ireland turned on the weather for this event - the thermometer hit
32 degrees which is a luxury in Ireland.
The Judges
for the weekend were International Dressage Judge, Gisela Holstein, English
Judge, Helen Clarke, Gillian Kyle and Eithne O'Kelly.
Boswell
Equestrian is the most beautiful venue with fabulous viewing areas surrounding
the main arena where both dressage arenas were and the event was run super
smoothly with a friendly and inviting atmosphere for those who are regular
competitors and most inviting for those who were new to dressage this weekend.
Full results
can be found at Dressage Ireland by clicking here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Irish
bred approved Irish Draught stallion, Celtic Gold has a life many humans would
be jealous of - traveling to Australia as a 4 year old he jumped through the
grades to Grade A and jumped to take the title of Barastoc Grand Prix Horse
of the Year before returning to Ireland - and now he has turned his hoof to
Dressage and in his first outing this weekend he has qualified for the National
Dressage Championships in the Preliminary level. He is pictured left
with rider Mary Ann Casey who is ably assisted by her mother Jill Casey. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Shown
right - Celtic Gold proves that the Irish Draught can move lightly and
athletically as well as jump! |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And
further proving that showjumping horses and riders can do well at dressage -
pictured left - Irish International Young Rider, Nicola FitzGibbon,
took her jumping mare Joie de Vivre for a spin around |
|
|
the
dressage arena for the highest score in both her tests - not placing today
though as she and the horse are not dressage registered. Nicola also took
time out to enjoy the sun - pictured below right - before
heading to Belfast on Sunday for the Balmoral National Showjumping Championships. |
|
|
Well known
as The Guru - Irish Dressage rider and Coach, Niall Quirke, - pictured
below right - was on hand to warm up his students today. Niall was
a happy man at the end of the day as his students all did very well with wins
and placings from many of them.
Niall
and business partner Kevin O'Sullivan have built a state of the art Training
facility in Johnstown, Arklow where many of the top dressage, eventers and
showjumpers come for training.
|
 |
|
|
|
With
the fabulous glassed indoor arena and stabling complex already completed and
a full sized outdoor arena waiting to be surfaced this is certainly one of the
most fabulous facilities anywhere in the world. Pictured below
- Kevin and Niall supporting Eastern Region dressage. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One
of Ireland's busiest Interior Decorator's Collette Ward Davey manages to find
time to train regularly with Niall Quirke and also goes into the competition
arena regularly with her beautifully marked coloured mare, Sienna - pictured
below. This combination were delighted with their second placing today
in the Novice today. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
University
lecturer, Barbara O'Doherty - pictured below left - from Ferns
is another who loves her dressage. Barbara has been around the horses for most
of her life and has always found them a wonderful relaxation from her hectic
working life.Barbara rides her own mare, Hagebutte |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very
successful in the show ring, MyCeltic Tiger (bred in Australia and exported
to Ireland) has now turned his hoof to Dressage and at his first outing he claimed
6th placing in both Preliminary tests. MyCeltic Tiger has been produced by Irish
Showjumper Mary Ann Casey - pictured together below in the ring. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
standout horse of the day, scoring an outstanding 74.81% in the Novice class
from English Judge, Helen Clarke was Tintoretto S - pictured left
- is owned by Niall Quirke and ridden |
|
|
|
by
Ruth Chadwick. As is so much a part of equestrian sport, the support crew
are so important and Sue Chadwick - pictured below - mother of Ruth is on
hand to help out as needed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Irish
coloured horses are well known for their superb temperaments and hardiness
and they are now also seen regularly in the dressage rings in the lower levels
- there were plenty of beautifully marked horses at Boswell today.
Dressage
is definitely a growing sport in Ireland and the word on the street is that
Ireland could well have a team at WEG next month which would be a first for
them and we wish them the best of luck.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|